Report: Alex Smith negotiating with Dolphins

Alex Smith walks off the field after the 49ers' loss in the NFC Championship Game, which might have been Smith's last game in San Francisco. (AP)

Alex Smith’s visit with the Dolphins has evidently progressed beyond the get-to-know-you stage.

After arriving in Miami early this morning, the 49ers free-agent quarterback is in negotiations with the team, the Denver Post’s Mike Klis reported, citing an NFL source. Per the report, Smith is being offered a multi-year deal worth about $8 million annually.

The Niners had offered Smith a three-year, $24 million deal. Based on the report, Smith appears poised to move on, for similar money, with San Francisco pursuing Peyton Manning.

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin presumably has a decent scouting report on Smith from Mike McCarthy, his boss in Green Bay the past four seasons. McCarthy was Smith’s offensive coordinator in San Francisco in 2005. Philbin will be installing a West Coast offense, a system Smith played in last year and as a rookie in 2005.

The Dolphins also have running back Reggie Bush, Smith’s teammate at Helix High in San Diego.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Smith was planning a visit to Seattle after his trip to Miami. His itinerary changed, though, when the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million deal this afternoon.

So what happens if Smith, San Francisco’s fallback plan, becomes the Miami Dolphins next starting quarterback? If the 49ers fail to sign Manning, their best option on the current roster is Colin Kaepernick, their second-round pick in last year’s draft. Kaepernick completed 3 of 5 passes for 35 yards as a rookie. He had a 23.9 rating in four preseason games, throwing five interceptions and no touchdowns.